The Hermitage of Saint-Michel from Peyreleau

A beautiful hike above Peyreleau with many points of interest: views of the Tarn valley and the Jonte gorges, vultures and eagles in flight, the ruins of the Hermitage of Saint-Michel and swimming in the Jonte on the way back. The most strenuous part is the first section to reach the viewpoint.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 559 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 563 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 844 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 395 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in Peyreleau in the car park near the town hall.

(S/E) Go down to the right at the bottom of the car park below the main street. Then take a path that climbs steeply to the right. Join the road and continue to its end at the houses in the Rouquets neighbourhood.

(1) Continue along the path opposite, which follows the road. Begin a steep climb to reach the viewpoint marked by a pylon. Enjoy the view of Peyreleau, Le Rosier and the Tarn valley.

(2) Continue along the track and you will soon reach a large rock known as Champignon Préhistorique (Prehistoric Mushroom). Don't hesitate to walk around it.

(3) Continue along the path descending to the left of the track. Enjoy the superb landscape and birdlife here. You will reach a new viewpoint overlooking the entire gorge

(4) Continue following the signs for Ermitage Saint-Michel to easily reach this complex, which is unfortunately in ruins.

(5) Begin the rapid descent to the banks of the Jonte. Then walk along the left bank of the Jonte to reach a small dam.

(6) Continue opposite on this path to return to the crossroads of the Rouquiers houses you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right and follow the same route as on the way out to return to the car park at Peyreleau Town Hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 420 m - Parking at Peyreleau Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 429 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 2.12 - alt. 831 m - Viewpoint - Pylon. Valley of the - Tarn (rivère)
  4. 3 : km 2.29 - alt. 842 m - The Prehistoric Mushroom
  5. 4 : km 4.15 - alt. 736 m - Wide viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 5.37 - alt. 725 m - Saint-Michel Hermitage
  7. 6 : km 8.01 - alt. 395 m - Dam on the - Jonte (rivière)
  8. S/E : km 9.22 - alt. 421 m - Parking at Peyreleau Town Hall

Notes

Hiking boots strongly recommended
Bring sufficient water, especially in summer (there are no water sources along the route)

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Between (3) and (4), you will have views of the Jonte gorges along the entire trail and you may see eagles and vultures flying.
(5) Saint-Michel Hermitage: make a round trip to the ruins of the hermitage. Two rocks that you can climb:
- the first is more accessible, take the ladder on the right.
- for the second, continue along the path that goes around the first rock. Be careful, climbing the second rock is more vertiginous.
(6) Reservoir on the Jonte: Here you can swim or see the Jonte up close. To do so, take the path on the right that leads to this small reservoir.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
FrançoiseD
FrançoiseD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A quiet route in the first part.
A beautiful, shaded hike above the Jonte Gorges.
After the viewpoint, narrow, exposed path dotted with roots leading to the hermitage; caution and attention required with children. Good footwear essential.
Beautiful viewpoints, opportunity to observe vultures, access to the hermitage via ladders, not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

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Pascal FAVE
Pascal FAVE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with lovely views. Good walking shoes are recommended. The estimated time is not very accurate, so allow a little extra time to take in the many views.

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Lescardou
Lescardou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Be careful, the start is very steep with a 350 m elevation gain. It is best to warm up a little before setting off. After a great ride

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Gregos 45
Gregos 45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that allows you to discover the Causses and the Tarn and Jonte gorges.
The climb is tough but achievable 😮💨
The single track along the cliffs and the descent to the Hermitage are really ✅
A hike not to be missed!

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User 3738942

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route that is a must for exploring the Jontes Gorges. A moderately difficult hike with a very pleasant trail along the gorges. Be careful though, as much of the trail has lots of roots (BE VIGILANT!). But the many extraordinary views make up for this minor inconvenience.
Otherwise, it's pure bliss

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yannjam
yannjam

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning panoramic views. The first two kilometres are quite steep, but the effort is well worth it once you reach the top. I recommend doing the hike in the direction indicated, as it is more difficult in the other direction (very long climb)
The only downside is that there are lots of caterpillars hanging around in summer, so bring a stick to knock them down in front of you.

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MH303
MH303

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did a very beautiful hike in the opposite direction (yellow markings). The climb didn't seem that hard, and on the way back we were able to swim in the Jonte. At the top, the scenery is exceptional and the vultures are quite close! A fairly exposed path with two ladder sections leads to the St Michel hermitage. Not recommended if you're afraid of heights, but what a view at the top! The small village of Peyreleau, where the hike starts, is worth a visit.
It's a shame that the box trees are infested with moths, which means the path is covered in sticky caterpillars.

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Caro34230
Caro34230
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb, shaded hike, especially when you reach the top and then the hermitage, where we were able to admire the colony of vultures... However, although the climb is quite steep, it's nothing compared to the descent, which completely wiped out our legs. Fortunately, the rushes allowed us to dip our feet in and cool off. I wouldn't really recommend it for young children... Otherwise, it was really nice

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Estellegarrouste
Estellegarrouste

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in the Jonte Gorges, offering views of the valley.
With a little patience, you can spot many species of birds of prey, especially vultures.

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marizou1957
marizou1957

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very beautiful hike with stunning views. The descent after the Hermitage of St Michel is a little technical, so you need good footwear, but otherwise it's fine.

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Pascalh
Pascalh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with large shaded areas that are pleasant in summer. Numerous viewpoints over the gorges and the valley. The paths are passable, but can be slippery in the rain. At the hermitage, a ladder fixed into the rock allows you to climb up and explore the ruins. The descent after the hermitage is relatively easy, but good footwear is necessary.
Swimming is very pleasant at point 6, but the water is still very cold, even in summer!

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boncl
boncl

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The return journey along the Jonte is less interesting

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